Yeddyurappa on Monday alleged the Opposition was taking recourse to black magic to eliminate him. Though he didn't name any party or person, his comments left little doubt as to who he was hinting at.

" There is a conspiracy to eliminate me through black magic. The same people who unsuccessfully tried to unseat me through black magic are conspiring again to end my life," he told the media in Mysore.

Yeddyurappa's comments came at a time when he is preparing to fight a legal battle following five cases of corruption being filed against him in court.

There are strong indications that the BJP's central leadership could seek his resignation if an FIR is filed against him by the investigating agency.

At the same time, the CM is facing increasing pressure from the Congress and the Janata Dal( S) to resign in view of the land deal allegations against him.

Last November, too, allegations regarding incidents of black magic in and around the Vidhana Soudha and the CM's official residence flew thick and fast as Yeddyurappa was almost on the verge of being axed by the BJP's central leadership.

Yeddyurappa blamed the Opposition for the incidents while the Congress and the Janata Dal( S) contended that he was trying to divert attention.

However, this is for the first time that Yeddyurappa has openly aired his superstitious views.

" I am not even sure if I will return home after visiting Vidhana Soudha. The conspiracy to eliminate me is becoming murky," he said.

Rejecting demands for his resignation, he said: " The BJP central leadership has endorsed my performance. They support my role as the CM. I will complete my remaining tenure without any hurdles." The Congress in Delhi ridiculed his claim and said the BJP needed to think over whether " such statements behove a chief minister". Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said: " This is a living example of a medieval and reactionary mindset. The fundamental question is whether this betrays only his mindset or also that of the party to which be belongs and which has made him the chief minister."